Description
Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon is a quick and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, sweet corn, and crispy bacon in a rich, cheesy sauce—perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz uncooked pasta (penne, farfalle, or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 strips bacon, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1.5 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Crisp the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet for added flavor.
- Sauté the Chicken: Add olive oil to the skillet if needed. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Make sure the chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.
- Add Aromatics and Corn: Stir in the diced onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and soft, about 2 minutes. Add the corn and continue cooking until it starts to slightly brown and caramelize, enhancing its natural sweetness.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Combine and Finish: Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss until everything is coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Return the bacon to the pan and stir to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh finish and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for a shortcut. For extra vegetables, add spinach, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini. Light cream or half-and-half can be used for a lower-fat version. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your bacon is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1¼ cups)
- Calories: 520mg
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg